Geographical timepiece or clock

ABSTRACT

A geographical timepiece or clock wherein the minute hand shaft axially extends to a worm with which a worm gear, divided into 24 helicoidal teeth corresponding to the 24 hours of the day, meshes. The worm gear is attached to an elongated shaft which is joined to a dial whose surface is decorated as a terrestrial globe and which, on the end opposite to that receiving the dial, has a worm which engages with a worm gear having 75 teeth mounted on a second shaft. A third shaft is installed within a fixed support, has a strong structure and is provided for supporting the machinery by means of bearings and is coupled by a bevel gear having 73 teeth with a bevel gear having 15 teeth which is fixed to the second shaft.

United States Patent 1 Villar Eschevarria et al.

[54] GEOGRAPHICAL TIMEPIECE OR CLOCK 5,537.22 10/1915 Hard 35/46 R 7,1 10 19 B' [76] Inventors: Jesusyillar Echevarria Jesus 59 Cara 58/44 Villa! Lopez, both of Avendia (161 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Franklin Cid 124 P150 Valencla, Spain Attorney, Agent, or FirmWenderoth, Lind & Ponack [22] Filed: June 22, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [211 372611 A geographical timepiece or clock wherein the minute [30] Foreign Application Priority Data hand shaft axially extends to a worm with which a I worm gear, divided into 24 helico1dal teeth corre- Aug.4, 1972 Spa n ..l82l26 spending to the 24 hours f the day meshes The Jan. 5, 1973 Spain ..'...187411 worm gear iS attached to an elongated shaft which is joined to a dial whose surface is decorated as a terres- [52] U.S. Cl. 58/44, 35/46 R trial globe and whichron the end pp to that [51] Int. Cl. G04b 19/22 [58] Field of Search 35/46 R 47- 58/42 5 43 has 3 whch engages a worm gear having 75 teeth mounted on a second shaft. A third shaft is installed within a fixed support, 5 References Cited has a strong structure and is provided for supporting the machinery by means of bearings and is coupled by UNITED STATES PATENTS a bevel gear having 73 teeth with a bevel gear having 143,82: slornleli 15 teeth which is fixed to the second shaft.

ou e 500,659 7/ 1893 Jourdan 58/44 5 Clajms, 5 Drawingjigures I 6 J 7 A B 10 :1 1 gr-F 2' 15 l l r KTTTT 7v /T"7'7 v 3,827,233 Aug. 6, 1974 PATENTED 6!!!" 3.827. 233

sum 3 0? 4 PAIENTED AUG 6 I974 SHEET '8 BF 4 FIG.4

GEOGRAPHICAL TIMEPIECE OR CLOCK BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a geographical timepiece or clock which is driven by a conventional clock mechanism and which, by means of a series of carefully designed drive gears, indicates time, month, horoscope and lunar phase on a terrestrial globe and a series of accessory annular areas. The clock has the unusual characteristic that it not only indicates local time but also, simultaneously and without calculation, the time in all countries of the world.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This is achieved in accordance with the present invention by imparting two combined movements to the terrestrial globe, i.e., rotation about its axis and dis.- placement, similar to the real movements of the earth. Rotation of the globe indicates time and displacement of the globe indicates month, horoscope and lunar phase. The day can also be ascertained by merely dividing the sector corresponding to each month by the number of days therein.

This is achieved by transmitting the movement of the clock mechanism through an extension made in the minute hand shaft, which ends in a worm. The worm transmits movement to a worm gear which is coupled to a shaft which is an extension of the polar axis of the terrestrial globe, thus obtaining turning movement of the shaft and the globe at the rate of one turn per each 24 hours.

This same shaft has, at a level lower than that of the worm gear, another worm which, by means of three gears, causes the assembly of the entire mechanism to turn about a vertical axis situated in the centre of the base of a case or housing and which acts as a support for the assembly, the assembly making a complete turn every 365 days.

While the globe is undergoing its displacement movement, the polar axis of the globe indicates the month and the sign of the Zodiac on the periphery of its path, and at the same time hauls or drags a rotatably mounted disc which has a circular opening therein. This opening will slide over a partially transparent annular area, in such a way that the transparency will at all times indicate the lunar phase which can be determined by the visible part of the circular opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention as well as of its operation, reference will be made to the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention, portions of the case or housing being broken away to better illustrate the location of the various gears of the mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the clock and gear mechanisms taken along lines A-B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken along lines C-D of FIG. I of the case or housing with its indicating accessories.

FIG. 5 is a section of the upper base of the case or housing.

the gear assembly which transforms the movement, are preferably housed in a quadrangular case or housing 1.

The entire assembly is fixed to the base of the case 1 by means of a cylindrical base element 2 which is screwed to the base. A shaft 3 extends vertically from base 2 and turns freely therein by means of bearing 3.

Shaft 3 has two transverse bores through which, and by means of screws 4', a flange 4 acting as a frame for securing the clock mechanism 5 is attached, in such a way that the clock mechanism turns with the shaft 3. Flange 4 has approximately the shape of the semiperimeter of a hexagon cut at an average level of its sides and has bores for attachment to shaft 3 and for mounting thereon of the clock mechanism 5.

The minute hand shaft of the clock mechanism 4 has at the outer end thereof a first worm 6 which engages a first worm gear 7 which is fixed to a shaft 8 which preferably turns on three fulcrum points which can only be effected on two of such points. Shaft 8 is inclined, simulating the actual inclination of the polar axis of the earth.

The lower end 10 of shaft 8 rests on a transverse extension of the lower end of flange 4. The upper end 11 of shaft8 rests on the free end of a curved flange 12 having the same radius of curvature as a terrestrial globe 20. The flange 12 in turn is fixed by means of a screw 33 to a meridian 21 at a point 13 aligned with the axis of shaft 3. The shaft 8 is finally supported on a third point, at a level approximately half its length, in a recess in a flange 9 which is solidly fixed to shaft 3 and the purpose of which is to act as the fulcrum point of shaft 8. This fulcrum point can be eliminated without disadvantage in the functioning of the assembly, since its only purpose is to secure the position of shaft 8.

By means of first worm gear 7, the clock mechanism transmits movement to shaft 8, which thus rotates tere restrial globe 20, which is above housing 1. However, the lower end of shaft 8 has fixed thereto a second worm 14 which transmits its movement to a second worm gear 15 rigidly fixed to a horizontal shaft 16. A circular disc 17 is rotatably coupled to shaft 16 by a sleeve 17', and the periphery of disc 17 rests on the base of the housing, thus supporting the weights of shaft 16 and worm gear 15. The disc 17 can also be elminated, in which case shaft 3 supports the weight of the mentioned elements.

Shaft 16 also has rigidly fixed thereto a first bevel gear 18 which engages with a second bevel gear 2 attached to the upper surface of element 2, thereby transforming the turning movement of shaft 16 into a displacement movement of shaft 16, together with all its accessory elements as well as the remaining parts of the mechanism, around the axis of shaft 3, which rotates within element 2 and gear 2 which, as previously mentioned, are fixed to the base of the housing 1.

To such effect, the shaft 16 is solidly fixed through couple 19 to shaft 3. Couple 19 has therein a bearing 19 which permits shaft 16 to rotate therein.

Thus, due to the clock mechanism, two movements are imparted to the globe, one of which makes the globe rotate about its polar axis, and the other of which simulatneously makes the globe turn in .a displacement movenent, together with the rest of the mechanisms contained in the housing, on gear 2' of element 2 which is the only immovable element.

The gear ratio is calculated as follows:

The first worm 6 makes worm gear 7 and thus shaft 8 advance one tooth for each rotation of the minute shaft hand, i.e., one tooth per hour. Worm gear 7 has 24 teeth, i.e., it makes a complete rotation for every 24 turns of the minute shaft hand, i.e., once every day.

Thus, the second worm 14 will also make one complete rotation per day since it is solidly fixed to'shaft 8. Worm gear 15 has 75 teeth, i.e., it will make one complete rotation every 75 days, as will bevel gear 18, since both are solidly fixed to shaft 16. Bevel gear 18 has 15 teeth, i.e., it advances one tooth every 5 days and meshes with bevel gear 2 which has 73 teeth. Thus, I

bevel gear 18 and, therefore the complete mechanism, will make a complete rotation about bevel gear 2' once every 365 days, i.e., a full year.

In short, the terrestrial globe is affected by two movements, i.e., rotation about its polar axis once every 24 hours, and a displacement about the axis of shaft 3 once every 365 days.

The upper base of the housing has a large diameter circular opening 25 preferably surrounded by three concentric annular areas. The external annular area 26 is divided into twelve sectors corresponding to the signs of the Zodiac. The intermediate annular area 27 is di vided into 12 sectors corresponding to the months of the year, and each such sector could be subdivided into the days of the month. The interior annular area 28, wider than the former ones, has 13 pseudorectangular openings 29, the larger sides of which are formed of circumferential arches concentric with area 28 and the smaller sides of which have convex elliptical arches orientated towwards the interior of the opening. The object of each of the annular areas is to indicate data and can be replaced by others of any desired type.

Furthermore, a circular disc 30 the diameter of which is substantially equal to the larger diameter of inner annular area 28 is mounted against the bottom surface of the upper base of housing 1. The shaft 8 of the terrestrial globe extends through a first circular opening 31 in disc 30. As shaft 8 and globe 20 are displaced about the axis of shaft 3, shaft 8 drags disc 30 along therewith. Thus, disc 30 essentially rotates about the axis of shaft 3 once every 365 days.

. Disc 30 also has a second circular opening 32 situated near the periphery thereof. The diameter of opening 32 is equal to the distance between the largest sides of openings 29 of annular area 28, and opening 32 is coincident therewith, in such a way that opening 32 travels in acircular path and is successively completely visible, partially hidden, completely hidden, partially visible, completely visible, etc., through the openings 29. The cycle is indefinitely repeated.

Two stems 23 extend upwardly from the upper surface of the housing 1 and are screwed thereto at 24. Stems 23 support a 315 sector formed from an annular element which represents a meridian 21. Meridian 21 is situated in a plane perpendicular to the base of the housing and symmetrically situated with respect to a plane perpendicular to the housing and which passes through the center of the housing. The sector of which is removed from the lowermost portion of meridian 21 allows shaft 8 of the terrestrial globe to be displaced.

. 6 Meridian 21 has openings for attachment to stems 23; grooves 34 at the height of its horizontal diameter for coupling to an annular member 22; and at its uppermost point a recess for housing a screw 33 to be attached to flange 12. i

Annular member 22is a complete circle having dimensions identical to those of meridian 21, and connects with meridian 21 by means of diametral grooves 35 which fit into grooves 34 of the meridian.

Member 22 does not coincide with the equator of globe 20, but member 22 is in a plane passing through the center of globe 20 and parallel to the base of the housing 1.

Around the periphery of member 22 marked from left to right are 24 equally spaced indicia, corresponding to the hours of the day. The terrestrial globe 20 has around its equatorial line, but extending in a direction opposite to that of the hour indicia on member 22, 24 hour indicia, equally spaced in such a way that the 12. oclock indicia on both scales can coincide.

The timepiece or clock of the present invention, besides being a decorative object, simultaneously supplies information concerning the time, month, sign of the Zodiac and lunar phase. The following is an explanation of how each such information is obtained:

Time is read on the fixed element 22 on which, as previously mentioned, the 24 hours of the day are marked. At precisely 12 oclock, the hour indicia marked on the globe will align and coincide with the 12 oclock hour indicia on the element 22, bearing in mind that 12 oclock hour indicia will be marked on the globe at the point at which the timepiece will be used. In this manner, reading of local time at any moment is effected by reading the hour indicia marked on the globe which is opposite the 12 oclock hour indicia of element 22, while the time in any otherpart of the world will be obtained by reading the time indicia marked on the element 22 which at that moment is aligned opposite the meridian of the desired other part of the world.

The remaining information is obtained by readings from shaft 8 of the terrestrial globe in its displacement movement around shaft 3 of the assembly.

Indications of the month and sign of the Zodiac are obtained by noting the position of shaft 8 as it emerges from housing 1 with respect to the month and Zodiac sign indicia on annular areas 26 and 27, respectively.

The lunar phases are shown by transparency, since the rotating disc 30 is completely opaque, with the exception of opening 32 situated near its rim. This opening is displaced in a circular path sequentially across the pseudorectangular openings 29 of annular area 28 so that opening 32 will overlap each of the openings 29 so that appearance of opening 32 will be nil, partial or complete, to correspond to the phases of the moon, i.e., full, waning, new, quarter, full, etc.

To achieve the sought after effect, a light can preferably be placed inside the housing to accentuate the visibility of opening 32. This effect can also be achieved by means of various colors in the area 28 and in the opening area 32 of the rotating disc 30 which, in this case, instead of an opening, could be a different colored circle.

We claim:

1. A geographical timepiece comprising:

an enclosed base easing structure having a lower base and a substantially horizontal upper surface;

a first gear means rigidly fixed to said base;

a first shaft vertically mounted in said base to rotate about a longitudinal vertical axis, said first shaft being positioned completely within said base casing structure;

a clockwork gear mechanism attached to said first shaft to rotate therewith about said vertical axis thereof, said clockwork gear mechanism having extending therefrom a minute hand shaft having rigidly fixed thereto a first worm;

a second shaft inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the polar axis of the earth, said second shaft extending through said upper surface of said base casing structure, a first portion of said second shaft being positioned within said base casing structure, and a second portion of said second shaft being positioned above said base casing structure;

a globe fixedly attached to said second portion of said second shaft;

second gear means interconnecting said first worm and said second shaft for causing said second shaft to make one complete revolution about the longitudinal axis thereof every 24 hours;

third gear means interconnecting said second shaft with said first shaft and said first gear means for causing said first shaft, said clockwork gear mechanism, said second shaft, said globe, and said second and third gear means to make one complete rotation about said vertical axis of said first shaft every 365 days;

said clockwork gear mechanism and said second and third gear means being positioned completely within said base casing structure;

a first annular element fixedly mounted in a vertical plane above said upper surface of said base casing structure in a position surrounding said globe as a meridian thereof, said first annular element having a lowermost sector thereof removed;

a second annular element fixedly attached to said first annular element to surround said globe in a horizontal plane passing through the center thereof;

first time indicia positioned on said second annular element and extending therearound in a first direction; and

second time indicia positioned on said globe and extending therearound in a direction opposite to said first direction.

2. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second gear means comprises a first worm gear rigidly fixed to said second shaft and meshing with said first worm.

3. A timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third gear means comprises a second worm rigidly fixed to said second shaft, a third shaft having a first end fixed to said first shaft, a second worm gear rigidly fixed to a second end of said third shaft and meshing with said second worm, and a bevel gear rigidly fixed to said third shaft and meshing with said first gear means.

4. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said base casing structure has therein a circular opening; and further comprising a first annular area concentrically surrounding said circular opening, a second annular area concentrically surrounding said first annular area, and a third annular area concentrically surrounding said second annular area; one each of said three annular areas having extending therearound coordinated months of the year sectors, signs of the Zodiac sectors, and lunar phase openings; a circular disc having a diameter equal to the one of said annular areas having therein said lunar phase openings, said circular disc being rotatably mounted immediately below said upper surface of said base casing structure; a first hole in said circular disc, said second shaft extending through said first hole, said second shaft causing said circular disc to rotate therewith around said vertical longitudinal axis of said first shaft; and a second hole in said circular disc at a radius thereof to align with said lunar phase openings.

5. A timepiece as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lunar phase openings are each a pseudorectangular opening, the larger sides of which are circumferential arcs concentric with said circular opening, and the smaller sides of which are elliptical arcs extending convexly toward the interior of said opening. 

1. A geographical timepiece comprising: an enclosed base casing structure having a lower base and a substantially horizontal upper surface; a first gear means rigidly fixed to said base; a first shaft vertically mounted in said base to rotate about a longitudinal vertical axis, said first shaft being positioned completely within said base casing structure; a clockwork gear mechanism attached to said first shaft to rotate therewith about said vertical axis thereof, said clockwork gear mechanism having extending therefrom a minute hand shaft having rigidly fixed thereto a first worm; a second shaft inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the polar axis of the earth, said second shaft extending through said upper surface of said base casing structure, a first portion of said second shaft being positioned within said base casing structure, and a second portion of said second shaft being positioned above said base casing structure; a globe fixedly attached to said second portion of said second shaft; second gear means interconnecting said first worm and said second shaft for causing said second shaft to make one complete revolution about the longitudinal axis thereof every 24 hours; third gear means interconnecting said second shaft with said first shaft and said first gear means for causing said first shaft, said clockwork gear mechanism, said second shaft, said globe, and said second and third gear means to make one complete rotation about said vertical axis of said first shaft every 365 days; said clockwork gear mechanism and said second and third gear means being positioned completely within said base casing structure; a first annular element fixedly mounted in a vertical plane above said upper surface of said base casing structure in a position surrounding said globe as a meridian thereof, said first annular element having a lowermost sector thereof removed; a second annular element fixedly attached to said first annular element to surround said globe in a horizontal plane passing through the center thereof; first time indicia positioned on said second annular element and extending therearound in a first direction; and second time indicia positioned on said globe and extending therearound in a direction opposite to said first direction.
 2. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second gear means comprises a first worm gear rigidly fixed to said second shaft and meshing with said first worm.
 3. A timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third gear means comprises a second worm rigidly fixed to said second shaft, a third shaft having a first end fixed to said first shaft, a second worm gear rigidly fixed to a second end of said third shaft and meshing with said second worm, and a bevel gear rigidly fixed to said third shaft and meshing with said first gear means.
 4. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said base casing structure has therein a circular opening; and further comprising a first annular area concentrically surrounding said circular opening, a second annular area concentrically surrounding said first annular area, and a third annular area concentrically surrounding said second annular area; one each of said three annular areas having extending therearound coordinated months of the year sectors, signs of the Zodiac sectors, and lunar phase openings; a circular disc having a diameter equal to the one of said annular areas having therein said lunar phase openings, said circular disc being rotatably mounted immediately below said upper surface of said base casing structure; a first hole in said circular disc, said second shaft extending through said first hole, said second shaft causing said circular disc to rotate therewith around said vertical longitudinal axis of said first shaft; and a second hole in said circular disc at a radius thereof to align with said lunar phase openings.
 5. A timepiece as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lunar phase openings are each a pseudorectangular opening, the larger sides of which are circumferential arcs concentric with said circular opening, and the smaller sides of which are elliptical arcs extending convexly toward the interior of said opening. 